Elevated temperature forming method and preheater apparatus
US8459084B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 5, 2009 |
| Grant date | Jun 11, 2013 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 20, 2032 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB21D37/16
- WIPO fieldMachine tools
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An elevated temperature forming system in which a sheet metal workpiece is provided in a first stage position of a multi-stage pre-heater, is heated to a first stage temperature lower than a desired pre-heat temperature, is moved to a final stage position where it is heated to a desired final stage temperature, is transferred to a forming press, and is formed by the forming press. The preheater includes upper and lower platens that transfer heat into workpieces disposed between the platens. A shim spaces the upper platen from the lower platen by a distance greater than a thickness of the workpieces to be heated by the platens and less than a distance at which the upper platen would require an undesirably high input of energy to effectively heat the workpiece without being pressed into contact with the workpiece.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.